Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
309. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport for a detailed update on the Rosslare Europort Maritime Area Consent planning application for its proposed ORE Hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5738/26]
View answer310. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport for a detailed list of the ports, state-owned or private, that he is aware of that are either currently undergoing, or are likely to submit planning/funding requests in the near future, for expanding or upgrading port capacity for commercial activity or renewable energy projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5739/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 309 and 310 together.
I am aware of several Irish ports, including Commercial State ports, Local Authority ports and privately-owned ports, with plans and ongoing developments to upscale infrastructure to facilitate the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Industry.
In 2021, my Department published a policy statement on the facilitation of ORE by Commercial State ports in recognition of the need for additional port capacity to service the ORE industry. The policy statement endorses a multiport approach as the most optimal policy, facilitating a strong response from the ports sector and private entities within ports.
My Department has actively encouraged the Commercial State ports to consider the commercial opportunities associated with ORE. To this end, the ports have made significant progress developing ORE-based port projects to a mature stage.
In this regard, the Port of Cork is progressing the construction of the multi-modal berth 'CORE 1' at Ringaskiddy East. The berth represents Phase One of a multi-phase development planned at Ringaskiddy. The development consists of a single berth with depth of 13m, quay length of 200m, laydown/quayside area and a new storage yard.
Having received renewed planning permission in December 2025, the Port of Cork is exploring plans to progress the construction of the second berth at Ringaskiddy.
The Ringaskiddy development presently under construction will be the first port in Ireland with a workable facility for ORE deployment and will allow the port to facilitate Marshalling and Assembly (M&A) in time for the phase 1 ORE projects in Irish waters. The facility will also be well placed to service future development projects which will come from the South Coast Designated Marine Area Plan (DMAP).
In 2025, Rosslare Europort and the Port of Waterford both received Maritime Area Consents (MACs) for their planned projects and both have taken the critical step of submitting planning applications to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP). Each of these are also well placed to support Phase One ORE projects as well as the South Coast DMAP projects.
Rosslare Europort specifically has plans to develop:
• Two ORE purpose-built quays and berth of at least 200m length,
• A 20 ha (200,000m2) reclamation area for ORE quayside storage and preconstruction, and
• Capital dredging will be conducted on the fairway approaches to Rosslare Europort, increasing the depth to 10m.
It is envisaged by Rosslare Europort that construction could commence in 2027 with a two-year construction period. These dates are subject to a final grant of planning permission and confirmation of finance.
Port of Waterford specifically has plans to develop:
• A 250-metre extension to the existing wharves at Belview,
• extensive land reclamation, new quayside operator support facilities with workshops and warehouses, and
• berthing pontoons, and two separate three-storey office and staff buildings for ORE operators.
Furthermore, Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) has submitted a MAC application for their large-scale development at Foynes Island in 2025. The port is planning to service the development of the future floating industry on Ireland’s West Coast. Shannon Foynes is also stepping up international collaboration, creating the first global Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) Alliance with Port Talbot and the Port of Brest.
Certain local authority-owned ports also envisage a role in the ORE industry. The Department is aware of plans by:
• The Port of Galway and
• Drogheda Port Company (in collaboration with Ronan Group for the Bremore Port Project).
My Department is aware that ESB has plans to develop their power station at Moneypoint in the Shannon Estuary to service Floating Offshore Wind.
My Department is also aware that the following privately-owned ports are planning port projects to enable ORE development, including:
• Greenore Port, owned by Doyle Shipping Group, based in County Louth,
• Leahill Quarry Port in Bantry Bay, and
• Bremore Port project (a collaboration between Drogheda Port Company and Ronan Group).
It is my Department’s understanding that aside from Greenore Port, none of the above privately-owned ports have yet submitted a planning application for their respective developments. Greenore Port has secured planning permission for an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) facility to service future ORE projects in the Irish sea.
